Railway signaling system



Jan. 10, 1933. H. c. VANTASSEI.

RAILWAY SIGNALING SYSTEM Filed Aug. 2l, 1951 INVENTOR:

C. l/q n'L-Q s se/l Q MN Q MN s Q m m m MAN NAN N@ l www *s mw J Nv XF@Ew S @ma @QS @@wv S NN \NN `NN @@vl. Q BQN NN `NN 5\\.. f WN 'r1 AQ f MlQ l f L, Tmw mmmwmm VMC: my@ MN mmmwwm u LAN ,n N mmxmwmm fr l@ n @U96MR @9% j L n@ L NN m. \w m4 MN Tm# D@ m. @QN D@ BN MJH w wxwwww Mmmwbwlmm u@ m uw w m. @N N UNi'lE FFQE HARRY C. VANTASSEL, F PITTSBURGH,PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOB TO THE UNION SWTCH a SIGNAL CIVIPANY, 0FSVJSSVA'LE, PENNSYLVANA, A CRPORATION 0F PENNSYLVANIA RAILWAY SIGNALINGSYSTEM Application lecl August 21, 1931.

My invention relates to railway signaling systems, and has for an objectthe provision of means operating when a given block is occupied and thesignal for such block gives a false proceed indication, to prevent thesignal for the block next in the rear from giving aproceed indication.

l will described one form of system embodying my invention, and willthen point out the novel features thereof in claims.

The accompanying drawing is a diagrammatic view showing one form ot'signaling system embodying my invention.

Referring to the drawing, the reference characters 4 and la designatethe track rails of a stretch of railway track along which traic normallymoves in the direction indicated by the arrow. These rails are dividedby insulated joints 5 to form blocks- 1-2, 2 7-8, etc., and, as hereshown, each block is further divided by insulated joints 5 to form twotrack sections, such as lla and la-Z Each track section is provided witha track circuit comprising a battery 37 which is connected with therails at one end of the section, and a track relay connected with therails at the other end of the section and designated by the referencecharacter T with a distinguishing exponent.

Located adjacent the -entrance end of each block is a signal designatedby the reference character S with an exponent corresponding to thelocation. Each signal, as here shown, is ot the searchlight type,comprising a member 6 mounted to oscillate and controlled by twowindings 7 and 8. The member 6 carries three roundels G, R and Y,arranged to cooperate with an electric lamp C in such manner that whenthe member 6 is in its middle position to which it is biased, roundel Ris in front of the lamp C, whereas when the member 6 is swung to theleft or to the right, roundel Y or roundel G is placed in front of thelamp C. As shown in the drawing, the lamp C is above the roundels, butthe lamp is placed in this position for purposes ot illustration only,and in actual practice it is understood that the lamp is locateddirectly behind the roundels. The signal indicates proceed, caution orstop, according as the Serial No. 558,481.

roundel Gr, Y yor R is located in front of the lamp C. Operativelyconnected with the member 6 is a circuit controller comprising twomovable members 9' and 10. lVhen the signal is in its stop positioncontacts 9-9b and l0-10b are both closed. (See signal S3) lllhen thesignal is in its caution position contacts Q-Qb and lO---lOfL areclosed. (See signal S2). When the signal is in its proceed positioncontacts 9 9PL and 10-10b are closed. (See signal S1). A signal ot thetype thus described, is disclosed and claimed in re-issue Letters Patentot the United States No. 14,940, granted to E. J. Blake on August 31,1920.

Associated with each signal is a polechanging relay P which is suppliedwith current 'from a rectiiier A as hereinafter explained. Each relay Pis preferably slowreleasing in character, so that it will not open itsfront contacts during a momentary interruption of the current suppliedto the relay.

Winding 7 of each signal S is constantly supplied with direct currentfrom a suitable source, which is not shown in the drawing, but theterminals oit which are designated B and 0, respectively. The otherwinding S of each signal is controlled by the track relays for the.associated block and also by the relay P for the block next in advance.Referring to signal S1, for example, the circuit or winding 8 is fromterminal B, through front point of contact 13 of relay P2, contact llor" each track relay T2 and T1, conductor l5, winding 8, conductor 16,contact l2 of each track relay T1 and T2, and the front point of contactle of relay P2 to terminal O. Relay P2 being energized, current of whatl will term normal polarity is supplied to the winding 8 of signal S1,and this signal then gives its proceed indication. lhen relay P2 isdeenergized, and track relays Tl and T2 are both closed, current ofreverse polarity will be supplied to the winding 8, and the signal willthen give its caution indication. `When either track relay T1 or T2 isopen, the signal will indicate stop.

Each relay P is connected with the output terminals of the associatedrectifier A, and the input terminals or" this rectifier are con- CJRnected with the line circuit for Winding S Y being supplied to the inccirciut for Winding 8 of signal S2, so Laat the lower conductor i6 ofthis rectiiiei termed the may be positive conductor. It will be notedthat signal S2 is in the caution rPhe input circuit for rectiiier r2then from to ilie conductor 1G, through contact lower input terminal ofrect? 2 and VAfrom the upper input termir i s rectiiier, through contactl l0, to the upper conductor l5. It will be seen, therefore, that thecircuit cont associated With signal 52 functions as a pole-changer toreversibl neet the input terminals he rect r 'x ith the line conductorsl and it), so nat current of the saine polarity is suppliec to the inputterminals of the i rectifier re'rardless of the polarity of the currentsupilied to the line circuit.

Referring nov.Y to the block to the right of point 3, which block isoccupied by a car or train IV, signal S indicates stop, because trackrelay T5 is deenergized. Relay is therefore deenergized., and is placedon short circuit through a path which begins at the right-hand terminalorn t-his relay and passes through the upper right-hand leg oi rectifierA3, contact lO-lOb, contact 9) 9, and the lower left-hand leg ofrectii'ier A3, to the left-hand terminal of relay P. Current of reversepolarity is therefore supplied to the line circiut for block 2 3, withthe result that signal S2 indicates caution and relay P2 is energized.Current of normal polarity is Itherefore su Jalied to the line circuitfor block 1 2, with the result that signal S1 indicates proceed.

I Will nov-J assume that block 2 3 becomes occupied, therebydeenergizing either track relay T? or T4, but that signal S2 gives afalse clear indication due to the movable member 6 and the roundelsbeing` stuck in such position that the green roundel G is in front ofthe lamp C. Inasinuch as relay P2 receives its energy from the linecircuit for block 2 3, which line circuit Will tl en be open at thecontacts of either track relay Ts or T4, relay P2 Will be deenergized,so that signal S1 will give the caution indication.

The result will be that a train approaching signal S2 Will be travelingat low speed and Will therefore be able to stop before entering block 23.

I will now assume that block 2 3 is unoccupied, but that signal S2 givesa false stop indication due to a mechanical or other failure of thesignal. It will be noted that under this condition the relay P2 will bedisconnected from the line conductor l5 due to the position of thecontacts of the circuit contr ller (see signal S3), so that relay P2will be deenergized and will therefore cause signal S1 to give thecaution indication. In other Words, although relay P2 is supplied Withenergy from the line circuit for its associated block, this will notresult in a proceed signal immediately in the rear of a signal Which-falsely indicates stop.

Although I have herein shown and described only one form of signalingsystem embodying my invention, it is understood that various changes andmodifications may be made therein Within the scope of the appendedclaims Without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim is:

l. In combination, a railway track divided into blocks, a track circuitincluding a track relay for each block, a line circuit for each lockcontrolled by the track relay for such block, a signal for each blockhaving a con trolling Winding receiving current from the associated linecircuit and arranged to indicate proceed or caution according as suchcurrent is of normal or reverse polarity, a pole-changing relay for eachblock also receiving current from the associated line circuit, meanscontrolled by each signal for disconnecting the associated pole-changingrelay from its line circuit and placing the relay on short circuit whenthe signal indicates stop, and means for supplying current of normal orreverse polarity to each line circuit according as the pole-changingrelay for the block next in advance is energized or deenergized.

2. In combination, a railway track divided into blocks, a track circuitincluding a track relay for each block, a line circuit for each blockcontrolled by the track relay for such block, a signal for each blockhaving a controlling Winding receiving current from the associated linecircuit and arranged to indicate proceed or caution according as suchcurrent is of normal or reverse polarity, a pole-changing relayassociated with each signal, a rectifier for each signal having itsoutput terminals connected with the associated pole-changing relay, acircuit controller op erated by each signal for connecting the inputterminals of the associated rectier with the associated line circuit inone direction or the other according as the signal indicates proceed orcaution and for disconnecting said rectifier from the line circuit andplacing the rectiier on short circuit When the signal indi cates stop,and means for supplying current of normal or reverse polarity to eachline circuit according as the pole-changing relay for the block next inadvance is energized or deenergized.

8. In combination, a railway track divided into blocks, a track circuitincluding a track relay for each block, a line circuit for each blockcontrolled by tlie track relay for such block, a signal for each blockhaving a controlling Winding receiving current from the associated linecircuit and arranged to indicate proceed or caution according as suchcurrent is of normal or reverse polarity, a poleclianging relay for eachblock also receiving current from the associated line circuit, meanscontrolled by each signal for disconnecting the associated pole-changingrelay from its line circuit when tlie signal indicates stop, and meansfor supplying current of normal or reverse polarity to each line circuitaccording as the pole-changing relay for the block next in advance isenergized or deenergized.

In testimon whereof I aliX my signature.

ARRY C. VANTASSEL.

